Black freshman tea party Republican, Scott attracts extensive Praise

South Carolina Gov. Nikki R. Haley officially appointed Republican Rep. Tim Scott a freshman tea party Republican, to succeed Sen. Jim DeMint on Monday (Dec. 17, 2012). “It is a great day in South Carolina,” Haley said at a news conference at the state capitol in Columbia, “It is a historic day in South Carolina.”

Scott is expected to be sworn into the Senate when the new Congress convenes on Jan. 3, 2013. He will run in a November 2014 special election to fill out what’s left of Sen. Jim DeMint’s current term, which runs through 2016.

His appointment means that the chamber will once again have African-American representation. The last Black senator was Illinois Democrat Roland Burris, an appointee who served from 2009 to 2010. Rep. Scott, will become the first Black GOP Senator from the South since 1881.

“This man loves South Carolina and he is very aware that what he does and every vote he makes affects South Carolina and affects our country,” Haley included. “And so it was with that that I knew that he was the right person. I have no doubt that he will fly through 2014.”

Haley recognized the historic nature of the choice, but constantly said that Scott had “earned” the appointment, turning aside questions that she opt for him because he is Black.

Haley was joined by Scott and DeMint, as well as the state’s senior senator, Lindsey Graham, and members of its congressional delegation.

Scott, accepting the appointment, adamantly extolled his predecessor.

“Sen. Jim DeMint has led in a way that few others have led,” Scott said. “There’s no way to fill his shoes.”

DeMint, the old school agitator and inspirational supporter of the tea party, is leaving his seat midterm to become president of the Heritage Foundation, a conservative think tank in Washington.

DeMint will formally make tracks from the Senate on Jan. 1.

DeMint acknowledged his approval of the governor’s selection.

“Governor, thank you for your faithfulness to our cause and your good judgment,” DeMint said. “Tim, I could not be happier today.”

“The future is incredibly bright for America. We have our challenges,” Scott said in his remarks. “We have things that we have to overcome, but boy, does the future look great in South Carolina.”